Dave Van

Model King made an announcement today....see it in review section....

Model King will be issuing a special edition of the new Revell 1957 Ford kit. The kit will be a slightly modified version of the current Revell 57 Ford. The kit will contain new vintage police car parts and a large decal sheet with lots of Police, Fire and other markings that will allow the builder to create a number of different vehicles. Sean S. will be doing the box art and I the decals. We will post these as soon as they are finalized and approved. Below is a photo of the prototype car used to tool the extra parts. Stay tuned.....this will be cool.....

I'd look for some news around Toy Fair time......maybe......

Kinda....in a way....... Polar lights was owned by Tom Lowe and was part of his Johnny Lighting group. RC2 bought JL/PL and ran it under RC2......until Tom Lowe Leased AMT/MPC/PL/JL from RC2 and from what I understand he has now bought the assets from RC2 owner Tomy. The circle of life hobby version!

Penske was not happy with Dodge flip flop on it's commitment to NASCAR. Roger is a business man and felt the need to go to Ford, Ford wanted more good cars....so the switch was on. Look to Ganassi to bail. Chip does not like being Chevy team #4.....and was Dodge when he entered NASCAR and won with Dodge. Chip follows the money and Dodge may go there......that's why a ONE year deal with HMS for motors.......and not a multi year deal.

The Dodge folks themselves said the left only because no teams of the level they needed were open. They also admitted that the response they got when they said they were leaving 'made it apparent the impact we had was greater than thought'. And a Cup Championship Sunday will add to that.

Dodge will be back in 2014. Maybe sooner if they win the championship next Sunday.

I have no inside info on this one.......I know they are looking at it.....but they are looking at lots of things!!! I'm working on the next Model King Revell kit now....but not sure if it's been announced yet so I'll wait for someone to do that! I'd like to see new NASCAR kits....but money may get in the way IMHO.

The instructions show how to build the figure if you already built the Pod...but my laziness has paid off!

Got the figure set a few days ago......was waiting on it to build my POD.....and I too am waiting on the Tumbler!!!! Nice work!!

Thanks for the info Casey......wonder if it really will have a roof rack or someone used a Fresh Cherrys die cast for a stand in......

You did about as good a job considering the kit and it's issues. Here is FYI for anyone that may build one of these. Rear Spoiler- trim it at trunk edge...these never went over the body sides like the kit. A Pillar- trim the back side to thin the A pillar the kit's pillar is way too thick. Rear Fender- sand the ridge down and smooth it into fender the kit is too pronounced. Front Fender- lightly sand the top of the fender to soften the top edge. Grille Opening- Trim the inside of the opening so the grille unit will fit into the opening in a higher position. Just these few things will help a LOT!!! My version of the same kit......Hersall McGriff's Petty owned Charger

And still do!! My buddy has a 100 point restored 1937 Hudson coupe and he can take off from a stop light in 3rd gear and still out run todays ecno boxes!!! Amazing cars considering the tech of the era.

Art......thanks for the history and some background for those that may not realize what iHobby is supposed to be. While this hobby is more a business for me any more I still enjoy learning about it past and present. I have no info on weather Revell paid for it's space......I do know when they came to the AMS90 convention we gave them 3 booths, along with RC2/Ertl, for free and even provided some other 'help'. But a table at Toledo is a VERY small fraction of an 8 x 8 booth at iHobby....go to their website the rates are on there....just add about 50% for set up fee and 'union labor' cost. (not a union slam just facts) I'll bet Revell paid $75,000 for their booth the year they had Ed Roth and his car that covered 8 booths, back mid 1990's so think about how different things are today.

I was speaking of iHobby show.........it is NOT a consumer buying/selling show. It is a trade show for the trade....IE wholesalers and retailers. Years ago you had to be a trade member to even attend. The public was allowed to come to offset the cost of the show. If you don't think the way Revell announced their 2013 product line is a sign of the future you are not being realistic. ZERO dollars to do much the same thing $25,000 did a free years ago is the way to do it. Personal consumer buying is done best at a LHS and that what I do when I can but 3 hours is a long drive for a single item......so remember not everyone has a LHS within ever an hours drive. I think in this day and age 'internet horror stories' should be a thing of the past. Order from trusted established sellers, use a credit card that has buyer protection and you are safe from losing money or getting less than you wanted.

R2 showed a Die Cast 1971 Petty Plymouth in 1/18 scale that is showing up in some photos.. No plastic Petty RR but we do get a 1/25 Allison Mercury Cyclone kit.

I have the F/C Gremlin kit. The front grille and bumper is a separate casting that was not on the chrome tree.....so if it was still in the kit it would be nice for R2 to throw it in. It would work well on a Pro Stock build!

R2 more than likely found the 75 inserts for the grille and nose piece. I don't see a 71 or 72 as the body would have to be re-tooled along with grille/nose etc. I love having them back in a normal box.

I agree...no animal or bird.....someone set something there and pulled it. Any chance it happened at a shopping center or like place??? People are so careless any more. My cats are all indoor only.....but ever try and wrangle cats outdoors??? Or have idiot neighbors that brag about killing and torturing local feral cats???

BINGO!!! I love the hobby trade show. I had been going since it was RCHTA back in the 80's. I met many folks and am glad I did. (even Neil Young!) But I kinda applaud Revell for the guts of not going, saving the large expense of a trade show (maybe spending the savings on new tools) It's called CHANGE.....the only constant. When you can spend big dollars to reach those that will come to Cleveland or ZERO dollars reaching anyone with a smart phone or computer......no brainer.

If Revell, owned by a major hobby distributor, and Testors corp both bail from the show as not cost affective......how can a aftermarket company afford to go??? Not sure if the same holds true at Cleveland but at Rosemont Chicago due to union rules you had to PAY to set up your booth, run extension cords or even move chairs on top of the cost of the booth, food, lodging, parking and other costs before anyone walks in the door. You can do the same today for free via the net. Should not be a surprise to anyone.

No insider info here.....but all model companies today will only tool new kits IF there are options down the road for 'other versions'. With this Mustang they are open to MANY versions down the road if this one sells well enough. Coupe, conv and hatchback for a number of different years and trim levels. To quote Tom Petty 'The future is wide open'

Should I install the backseat or remove it? 1952 NASCAR Hudson had the back seat in them. Many were removed in later years. -Did these cars have a Roll Bar/Roll Cage? Hudson Hornets did not have roll bars or cages. They were optional on all cars but Hudson felt no need for them. -Should I cover the head lights? Headlights were often just taped over with masking tape. Factory teams sometimes ran sheet metal covers. Just paint the lens tan or silver. -How about the engine? Is it just like Factory Stock engine with all original air cleaners etc. "Detail parts"? Factory stock externally in 1952. Some work done inside...but can't be seen. -Does the front seat need any modifications, like in Black Widow Chevy? Front seat bone stock other than air craft type belt provided in kit. Thanks

I am thankful that someone else understands. If folks knew what Dave goes through to get kit produced most folks would not do it. I am privileged to be allowed to help out with Model King and Moebius. My name is on the side of most boxes and decal art. Burket has no agenda but to produce items to move the hobby forward......if you only knew the whole story..... BTW...the Model KIng Moebius kits cost a little more because we pay the familys of these drivers for the license. We try and give the buyer a little more for their money as we put multiple version options on the decal sheet. Sean does some fantastic art work for the boxes. And Moebius guys are all world class when it comes to plastic models.....we are lucky to have them in this hobby. Nuff said......

See my other post on another Moebius kit and you'll get your answer!!!